A Non-Governmental Organization dubbed ‘In My Small Way Youth Organization’ is implementing the recently revived 4-K Club model in three primary schools within Homa Bay County.
The 4-K club programme was re-launched in June last year by President Uhuru Kenyatta to help nurture future farmers at a younger age.
4-K stands for Kuungana, Kufanya, Kusaidia Kenya, meaning to come together, to do, to help Kenya.
The NGO which is based in Kibiri Ward within Rachuonyo North is trying to create a positive mindset towards agriculture to school-going children through its programme which is implemented in Oriwo, Kodhoch and Nyabiagi Primary Schools.
The programme also seeks to create a generation that is passionate and dedicated towards agriculture.
Aphline Yogo, the programme coordinator said they ventured into the programme to help the government achieve its agenda in food and nutrition by engaging pupils and inculcating in them the spirit of agriculture for food security.
“As an organization, we ventured into this programme to help the government in the implementation of the model for the good of Kenyans since agriculture is part of the big four agenda under food and nutrition,” she said.
She explained that the organization trains learners on farming before securing a small portion of land for the club’s activities.
“The club is just like any other but the only difference is that we major in agriculture. Here, the kids are taught on the importance of co-existing for the betterment of the society. Before commencing, we usually undertake them into a training on the concepts of agriculture and the best practices therein,” Yogo noted.
For sustainability, the produce including vegetables are then sold to area residents and the money is used in securing more seeds and pesticides for the club.
“We want to create a generation of agri-preneurs in kids by igniting the love for agriculture in them to ensure that as they grow up they will still be passionate about it. We teach them on how to sell the farm’s produce so that the money accrued from the sale can be used to buy more seeds and other requirements,” she stated.
The children are also encouraged to enlighten their parents back home on the importance of having a kitchen garden to help them save the little money they have instead of spending on foods including vegetables that they can grow at home.
Yogo explained that they also indulge in tree planting activities in the mentioned schools as a way of conserving the environment, saying that they have managed to plant at least 300 trees so far.
“The organization had secured a fish pond through a donation from Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP) in one of the schools where aquaculture activities take place,” added Yogo.
Through one of its advocacy programmes dubbed She Leads Programme, In My Small Way Youth Organization is also advocating against teenage pregnancy, early marriages and Gender-Based Violence.
“The programme is all about amplifying the voices of girls and young women. We know that there are a lot of cases of defilements, child marriages, teenage pregnancy and GBV and so we are trying to advocate against all these,” she said.
“Previously, we were working with girls on menstrual hygiene where we empowered them economically so they could get sanitary towels the right way,” she said.
